Dozens of Prince George protestors gathered at the steps of city hall this morning (Sept. 20) to kickstart the local branch of a worldwide movement.
Global Climate Strike week takes place today until next Friday (Sept. 27) as people walk out of the school and work to advocate for more action on the subject of climate change.
#GlobalClimateStrike in Prince George officially begins with a chant 📣 | #CityOfPG @PGMatters pic.twitter.com/Y1xdRbDnFV
— Kyle Balzer (@KyleBalzer) September 20, 2019
Wielding signs and hope in their hearts, residents and students stood outside city hall hoping politicians will hear their voices in how the northern capital should address the issue, including two Duchess Park Secondary students who’ve been protesting for several months.
Caitlyn McCarville and Aja Hainecker have stood by Mr. PG every Friday since May this year, showing the city their desire for a better planet.
“The first few ones were pretty good, but usually we don’t really have much people,” said McCarville to PrinceGeorgeMatters. “We just kept going though because change needs to happen.”
They all believe changes can be made at the federal level so climate change doesn’t become a concern for when they become adults.
According to Hainecker, this could include the reduced use of fossil fuels and implementing solar panels across the nation for sustainable energy
“The [Canadian] government needs to start paying attention to climate change and everyone around the world does; we need to acknowledge that this is a real issue. There’s a lot they could do too.”
“It's very important for us because we’re going to be the ones that have to deal with it later on and they’re going to pass so they don’t have to deal with it,” added McCarville. “So if we can fix it before it becomes an even bigger issue, then that would be pretty cool so we don’t, like, die of climate change.”
#GlobalClimateStrike protesters peacefully stand/sit on City Hall steps with various signs in calling to resolve climate change. Even the dogs are calling for action | #CityOfPG @PGMatters pic.twitter.com/jGRuLPPjOX
— Kyle Balzer (@KyleBalzer) September 20, 2019
McCarville and Hainecker will join those who called for change with them at city hall this afternoon at Mr. PG once again to continue to Global Climate Strike week.
The next strike in Prince George will be at the same location next Friday at 2 p.m.
The Global Climate Strike movement began with Sweden’s Greta Thunberg, a 16-year-old environmental activist who’s credited with raising awareness on the risks that pose climate change threats.
Notable people in attendance for this morning’s strike in Prince George included Cariboo-Prince George Green Party candidate Mackenzie Kerr, singer-songwriter Amy Blanding, and Zoe Meletis, UNBC Gender and Environmental Studies associate professor.
